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Against the stream: early diagnosis of dementia, is it so desirable?

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Abstract

SummaryThe Prime Minister's challenge on dementia called for improved dementia diagnosis rates, based on assumptions of benefit to individuals and those who care for them. Subsequent policies have led to increased target drives for clinical practice to achieve early diagnosis of dementia through intense case identification. However, the current evidence base and treatment options do not support screening for dementia, and there is little empirical evidence that such intensive case identification and early diagnosis for dementia is justified without a better understanding of the benefits, costs and potential harms to individuals and services.Declaration of interestNone.

Description

Keywords

Dementia, diagnosis, early diagnosis, screening

Journal Title

BJPsych Bull

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2056-4694
2056-4708

Volume Title

43

Publisher

Royal College of Psychiatrists